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Board accepts complaint filed against Red Oak CSD

News

August 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A report in the Omaha World-Herald says the Iowa Public Information Board, Thursday, accepted a third complaint against the Red Oak Community School District. Margaret Stoldorf filed a complaint July 8th saying the agenda for a June 30 school board meeting was too vague and a “typical citizen” would not have understood the personnel action before the board.

In response, the district cited interviews given to the Daily Nonpareil in Council Bluffs and KMA radio, based in Shenandoah, to make the public aware of the topic of the board meeting. But Public Information Board Executive Director Keith Luchtel wrote in a letter that notifying media outlets did not waive requirements for agendas.

The state agency has two other pending complaints against the Red Oak district, from former Principal Jedd Sherman and district resident Don Rogerson. Stoldorf’s concerns will be brought forward to seek an informal resolution with the school district.

The other two complaints are being reviewed by agency staff, which will present a formal report to the board later. The board will then decide whether it finds probable cause that violations of the state’s open meetings law occurred. If the board finds probable cause, it could choose to file charges, which could lead to fines of $1,500 for each school board member for each violation.

In all three cases, the Red Oak district has said that it met its obligations under Iowa law.